It was hard getting on yesterday! My spirit was willing but body was trying to do swerve away from my lovely, if slightly bruised bike. We set off on perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of the ride so far down to Perth. It really was ‘down’ most of the way… hurray for national cycle routes. Even by the edge of the road, you can be surrounded by greenery, so you forget you’re so close to the road. Energy was good but needed more barrier cream, even through two pairs of padded shorts! John came to the rescue and insisted on transferring his gel padded bike seat cover onto mine and suddenly the world was a brighter place! He also lent me his spare i pod with a hilarious collection of Christmas music on it, so I was cycling along listening to ‘Driving home for Christmas’ and ‘All I want for Christmas.’ The trees were spectacular and for at least 20 miles, there were no big hills, I had a comfy seat, funny music and gradually a sense of freedom and well being. I think Réka, John and Carl all felt the same way as the three of us were cycling along dancing to our respective i pods and Carl kept appearing magically, having found our cycle routes to capture moments. Réka is beginning to have a really fun relationship with the camera and Carl behind it. We all feel a bit sad this morning as John has finished his stint with us and leaves to go home to his family; he even missed his little boy’s first day at nursery to be with us. What a star! So today is just Réka and I. Carl cycled for 20 miles yesterday whilst John and I played in a cycle shop in Pitlochry, we were like children in a sweet shop… saying ooo qnd aaaah to all the gadgets. If I can’t manage the ride in total today, Carl will do some… phew! You’re right Mike, Réka is our Bradley Wiggins, but she is patient and caring with us novices too. Waits at the tops of hills, when it has taken me three times as long as her to get to the top and is always encouraging. I feel myself getting a little stronger each day but still dread the onset of hills! Will post some photos this evening. Should be in Edinburgh for 6 ish, if all goes well.. The Maggie Centres are going to do an article about the ride in their magazine in October, which is great! Carl is working hard each day, filming, interviewing, photographing…. Each time i get into the car and negotiate meeting points, other motorists etc, I realise how straightforward cycling is.
We have become a team these last few days, so goodbye and thank you to John for being lots of fun, his terrible french accent and his fast growing grasp of french swear words learnt from Carl, his looking after our bikes, lending his gel seat, his Christmas music; we’ll miss you and will think of you freewheeling down massive hills, arms outstretched with a huge smile! Speak to you all later…. we had great sponsorship from the Station hotel in Perth, rooms for free and they were so nice, so we all love the Station Hotel in Perth. Bye for now……
Jul17